Gabriel Batistuta vs Alan Shearer

I'd go with Batistuta too. Loved watching him play, was such a great finisher. And he could score all types of goals, headers, volleys, tap ins, long range, free kicks, one on ones, everything.

Loved watching him go through one on one with a keeper, a simple finish would do but then he'd rifle it into the top corner or something. Emphatic.

I'd say GB.

Shearer was agreat player, but hd he been playing in Italy or Spain, his use of his arms (mostly elbows) would have seen him sent off a good deal

Mcclair

I presume Shearer's figures are more impressive but at the time Batistuta was playing in a league of a higher standard and with more sophisticated defensive tactics.

Another question: I wonder whether either player would have stood out quite as much in today's game, where the centre forward's role has evolved away from simply getting on the end of chances. The ideal centre forward today is a flexible player, an all-round footballer whose movement is designed to create spaces for others as much it is to receive the ball in the box. I'm not suggesting that Shearer wouldn't be a success, but he wasn't an outstanding footballer who would be at home in a fluid front three, peeling away from the centre to play in others or starting from wide areas like Villa. In that respect, I think Andy Cole (though less prolific) gave us a more modern, sophisticated front line than Shearer would have done had we bagged him.

comment by Red Russian (U4715)

posted 1 minute ago

I presume Shearer's figures are more impressive but at the time Batistuta was playing in a league of a higher standard and with more sophisticated defensive tactics.
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They aren't actually. Batistuta's are marginally better and especially on the international stage. I think that your point about the Italian league is key here. When you look at the number of goals scored in Italy, it doesn't usually compare to the PL - certainly not when Batistuta was in his prime. If a striker scores 20+ goals in Serie A then they have had a great season.

Batisituta, hands down

batistuta for me along with ronaldo and raul were the best three strikers of the 90's

Batistuta, without doubt. Forlan is the one player I could compare him to that's now playing.

Battigoal all day long

Batigol. Better player, better hair! lol As to the question of whether Bati would have stood out quite so much today as he did when he played in Italy ... it's interesting to speculate. He was so exceptional at scoring goals, and at making opportunities to do so, that it's sort of hard to picture him doing anything else ... but then, he never had to, did he? Yes, it's true that the good old pure number 9s have a significantly diminished role in football today, but I just have a sense that Batistuta would have adapted .... although I can't imagine why any coach would have forced him to, since he was so proficient at scoring, and, after all, goals are what clubs/teams are ultimately striving for. Umm, on second thought ... let me qualify that, and say that any coach who ISN'T ALLEGRI would be crazy to look a gift horse in the mouth ... LOL. I know Pippo's getting up there, but I would bet my bottom dollar that Milan would've gone much farther in the CL if Inzaghi had played!